Overview:

This deck combines aristocrats sacrifice synergy with reanimation and combo elements, leveraging Rev's combat-triggered Treasure generation to fuel explosive plays. The core strategy revolves around draining opponents via Blood Artist effects, cheating out threats via reanimation, and executing a two-card infinite combo with Chain of Smog + Witherbloom Apprentice. While moderately resilient with recursion and tutors, it lacks free interaction and folds to graveyard hate.

Primer:

Core Strategy:
Deploy sacrifice outlets like Viscera Seer and Carrion Feeder, then sacrifice recursive creatures (Reassembling Skeleton, Bloodsoaked Champion) to trigger Zulaport Cutthroat drains. Use Buried Alive and Reanimate effects to cheat out bombs like Gray Merchant of Asphodel. The Chain of Smog + Witherbloom Apprentice combo serves as a primary wincon, while Bolas's Citadel and Dark Prophecy provide card advantage. Rev supports the plan by generating Treasures to fuel big Exsanguinate turns or enable early combos.

Key Lines:

1. T3 Witherbloom Apprentice → T4 Chain of Smog (copy until opponents die)
2. Buried Alive for Gray Merchant + Syr Konrad + Massacre Wurm → Living Death
3. Pitiless Plunderer + free sac outlet + Reassembling Skeleton = infinite Treasures → Exsanguinate

Mulligan Priorities:

• Keep hands with 3 lands + sac outlet OR combo piece
• Prioritize Dark Ritual/Culling the Weak for explosive starts
• Avoid hands without early creatures or card engines

Critical Plays:

• Tutor Chain of Smog only when protected by Swiftfoot Boots or after establishing board presence
• Time Living Death after opponents' graveyard fills
• Use Bojuka Bog strategically to enable Syr Konrad triggers

Weaknesses:

Critical:

• Fold to graveyard hate (Rest in Peace, Leyline of the Void)
• Chain of Smog requires Apprentice to resolve and stay on board

Moderate:

• Slow vs flying/swarm strategies
• Limited stack interaction (no counterspells)

Minor:

• Commander-dependent Treasure generation

Most Important Cards:

• Chain of Smog
• Witherbloom Apprentice
• Exsanguinate
• Buried Alive
• Living Death
• Pitiless Plunderer
• Gray Merchant of Asphodel
• Bolas's Citadel
• Diabolic Intent
• Dark Prophecy

Attribute Ratings:

Speed: 7/10

• T5-6 combo kills possible with optimal draws
• Dark Ritual enables T3 Apprentice → T4 combo

Resilience: 5/10

• Recursive creatures mitigate removal
• No free protection for combo pieces

Consistency: 7/10

• 5+ tutors (Diabolic Intent, Dark Petition)
• Redundant drain/payoff creatures

Interaction: 4/10

• Targeted removal (Go for the Throat, Snuff Out)
• No counterspells/stax

Rating Justification:

The deck operates at the high end of Optimized Casual (5.5) with combo potential approaching Focused (6.0). While faster than typical 5.5 decks due to T5-6 combo lines, it lacks the interaction density and protection seen in 6.5+ lists. Graveyard reliance and commander dependence prevent higher resilience scores. Comparable to upgraded aristocrats decks with A+B combos but without free interaction.

Power level: 5.5 - 6.0